Happy birthday, Zak: Highlights from Zaheer Khan's career

In an age where the game of cricket favours batsmen more than bowlers, Zaheer Khan proved to be a cut ahead of the rest. At 37, his career as the pace spearhead for the Indian cricket team may well be over, but the left-arm fast-medium bowler from Shrirampur in Maharashtra will continue to be an inspiration.

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In an age where the game of cricket favours batsmen more than bowlers, Zaheer Khan proved to be a cut ahead of the rest. At 37, his career as the pace spearhead for the Indian cricket team may well be over, but the left-arm fast-medium bowler from Shrirampur in Maharashtra will continue to be an inspiration.

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Zaheer Khan played in the Indian team when the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman were in their prime. Even then, he made his mark as a bowler, and served Indian cricket for the past 15 years.

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Zaheer Khan played in the Indian team when the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman were in their prime. Even then, he made his mark as a bowler, and served Indian cricket for the past 15 years.

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Best of buddies: Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh made their ODI debuts together in a game against Kenya way back in 2000. Since then, times have changed, but their friendship has remained constant.

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Best of buddies: Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh made their ODI debuts together in a game against Kenya way back in 2000. Since then, times have changed, but their friendship has remained constant.

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Zaheer possessed tremendous skills with the ball, and he was especially menacing when he could swing the ball both ways through the air, with the same action and pace. His ability to bowl perfect yorkers made him the ideal man to go to whenever wickets were needed.

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Zaheer possessed tremendous skills with the ball, and he was especially menacing when he could swing the ball both ways through the air, with the same action and pace. His ability to bowl perfect yorkers made him the ideal man to go to whenever wickets were needed.

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Throughout his career, Zak has had memorable moments, and has even managed to have an obsessive female fan base! Nobody can forget this moment in the Test match against Pakistan in 2000.

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Zak's records: 311 wickets in 92 Tests at an economy of 3.27 and 282 wickets in 200 ODIs at an economy of 4.94. The stats do not lie, Zaheer was known for his incredible control and impeccable line and length.

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Zak's records: 311 wickets in 92 Tests at an economy of 3.27 and 282 wickets in 200 ODIs at an economy of 4.94. The stats do not lie, Zaheer was known for his incredible control and impeccable line and length.

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Zaheer was one of the best bowlers ever for India in both ODIs and Tests. His unforgettable spell of 4-42 against New Zealand in the 2003 World Cup and his 18 wickets in 3 Tests in the England tour of 2007 make him one of the legends of the game.

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Zaheer was one of the best bowlers ever for India in both ODIs and Tests. His unforgettable spell of 4-42 against New Zealand in the 2003 World Cup and his 18 wickets in 3 Tests in the England tour of 2007 make him one of the legends of the game.

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Zaheer Khan and Isha Sharvani's relationship grabbed a lot of attention. Their 8 year long relationship was envied by everyone. Zaheer openly declared marriage with Isha in 2012, although it ended on a bitter note later.

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Zaheer Khan and Isha Sharvani's relationship grabbed a lot of attention. Their 8 year long relationship was envied by everyone. Zaheer openly declared marriage with Isha in 2012, although it ended on a bitter note later.